Disruption of mitochondrial complexes, cytotoxicity, and apoptosis results from Mancozeb exposure in transformed human colon cells.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
In vitro bench study using transformed human cell lines
PubMed 33592315 · doi:10.1016/j.etap.2021.103614
What was done
HT-29 transformed human colon cells were treated with the fungicide Mancozeb across concentrations ranging from 60 to 140 μM. Researchers evaluated cell morphology via scanning electron microscopy, apoptotic cell death via Annexin V fluorescent staining, and the enzymatic activity of mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes I through V.
What was found
Mancozeb-treated cells showed cell membrane disruption, blebbing, and positive Annexin V staining indicating apoptosis at 60–140 μM. Mitochondrial enzyme assays demonstrated that Complex I activity decreased at 100 μM; Complex III activity decreased at 60 and 100 μM; Complexes II and IV activities decreased at 60, 100, and 140 μM; and Complex V activity decreased at 60 μM. Exact numerical values, effect sizes, and variance were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
The findings demonstrate that Mancozeb impairs cellular energy production by inhibiting every complex of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, providing a mechanistic basis for its cytotoxicity in colon cells.
Limits
This is an in vitro experiment in a transformed cancer cell line (HT-29), which lacks in vivo physiological context, gut barrier dynamics, and systemic metabolism. The abstract omits sample sizes/replicates, exact quantitative percentages of inhibition, and discussion of whether the tested doses (60–140 μM) reflect realistic human exposure levels.
Cited by
- supports Maneb and mancozeb are fungicides that act as mitochondrial toxins.